WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says it will be contacting hundreds of patients in the coming weeks after a nurse inappropriately accessed their personal health information.

The authority says in a release that the nurse, who had access to the emergency department information system for work at one site, inappropriately searched information while working outside of the ER at the west-end Grace Hospital.

Concerns were raised on March 12 and a manager told the person responsible to stop accessing the data unnecessarily.

An audit completed April 9 showed 1,756 people were affected, but the WRHA says no one was targeted specifically and no other hospital information systems were affected.

It says the nurse indicated no information was kept and there’s no evidence any reports were printed.

The authority also says the person had up-to-date training on the use of and access to personal health information and was aware of their obligations under the act.

“We are very sorry for the distress this breach may cause any individuals,” Lori Lamont, the authority’s acting chief operating officer, said in a statement

She said the data system is vital for nurses and staff in the ER to ensure they can access and share information about patient care during their shift.

“The only time that information may be used outside of the emergency department, however, is for patient transfers — which did not occur in this instance.”

There was no immediate word on whether the nurse faces any disciplinary measures.